Anityalakshana, Anityalakṣaṇa, Anitya-lakshana: 1 definition

Introduction:

Anityalakshana means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Anityalakṣaṇa can be transliterated into English as Anityalaksana or Anityalakshana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Anityalakshana in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Anityalakṣaṇa (अनित्यलक्षण) refers to “that which is impermanent in nature”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 31).—Accordingly, “[...] being impermanent in nature (anityalakṣaṇa), all dharmas have no span of duration (sthitikāla). If mind lasted for a moment, it would also last during the second moment. It would then be eternal in duration and without the nature of disappearing (vyaya-lakṣaṇa). And yet, among the three characteristics of conditioned dharmas (saṃskṛtadharma-lakṣaṇa), the Buddha also mentioned the characteristic of disappearance (vyaya-lakṣaṇa). If the mind did not have disappearance, it would not show the characteristics of the conditioned. [...]”.

Mahayana book cover
context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

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